CVE-2023-51650 is a security vulnerability identified in the open-source real-time monitoring system Hertzbeat, developed by the dromara project. The vulnerability stems from a missing authorization check (CWE-862) in versions of Hertzbeat prior to 1.4.1. Specifically, due to misconfigurations in Spring Boot permission settings, three key interfaces within Hertzbeat were accessible without proper authorization controls. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to access these interfaces, potentially leading to the disclosure of sensitive server information. Such information could include system status, configuration details, or monitoring data that should otherwise be restricted. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or authentication, making it easier for attackers to exploit if the affected version is exposed to untrusted networks. The issue was addressed and fixed in Hertzbeat version 1.4.1 by correcting the permission configurations to enforce proper access control. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no public exploit code has been reported. However, the exposure of sensitive server information can aid attackers in further reconnaissance and targeted attacks against the affected infrastructure. Given that Hertzbeat is used for real-time monitoring, unauthorized access could also undermine the confidentiality and integrity of monitoring data, potentially impacting operational security and incident response capabilities.

For European organizations using Hertzbeat versions prior to 1.4.1, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive monitoring and server information. This could facilitate further attacks such as targeted intrusions, lateral movement, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities by providing attackers with detailed system insights. Organizations in critical infrastructure sectors, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing that rely on real-time monitoring for operational continuity may face increased risk of service disruption or data breaches. The confidentiality of monitoring data and system configurations is crucial for maintaining security posture and compliance with regulations such as GDPR. Unauthorized access could also erode trust in monitoring systems and delay detection of malicious activities. Although the vulnerability does not directly allow system compromise or data modification, the information disclosure can be leveraged in multi-stage attacks, increasing the overall threat landscape for affected entities.

European organizations should immediately verify the version of Hertzbeat deployed in their environments and upgrade to version 1.4.1 or later, where the authorization issue is fixed. If immediate upgrade is not feasible, organizations should implement network-level access controls such as IP whitelisting, VPNs, or firewall rules to restrict access to Hertzbeat interfaces only to trusted internal users. Additionally, organizations should audit and harden Spring Boot security configurations to ensure proper authorization is enforced on all endpoints. Monitoring and logging access to Hertzbeat interfaces should be enhanced to detect any unauthorized attempts. Conducting a thorough review of exposed interfaces and applying the principle of least privilege can reduce the attack surface. Finally, organizations should integrate this vulnerability into their vulnerability management and patching processes to ensure timely remediation and continuous security posture improvement.